We are told that "Ya Ali" is a strong word, but why? Why isn't it "Ya Hussien" or "Ya Sultan", or if Krishna was an imam then why not "Ya Krishna". Is there a reason why "Ya Ali" is the specifice word?
fAiSaL
Ya Ali
As-salam!
Are you speaking from a Shi'a perspective or Ismaili perspective?
From an Ismaili perspective, calling to Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) refers to one person: the current, living Imam, who bears the Nur of Hazrat Imam Ali (AS). For all intents and purposes, the current Imam is Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) to and for us. Since the Nur shared by each Imam is the same Nur, there is no need to or use in differentiating between each Imam. From a spiritual perspective, they are all the same person, although outwardly they were different people in different ages.
This is also why Ismailis (and throughout this, I am referring to Aga Khani Ismailis, as Tayyibi Ismailis are totally different in this respect) do not practice matam. Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS) is, like Hazrat Imam Ali (AS), alive and present with us through the living, current Imam. Why mourn the death of someone who still alive and present with us?
Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) is considered to be the Imam par excellence. It is his Nur that the current Imam has, his wisdom the current Imam has, his authority the current Imam has, and his masumiyat that the current Imam has. When we point to the Imam, we point to Hazrat Imam Ali (AS); when we invoke Hazrat Imam Ali (AS), we invoke the Imam (AS).
If I am wrong anywhere, please correct me.
Mowla hafiz,
ON
Are you speaking from a Shi'a perspective or Ismaili perspective?
From an Ismaili perspective, calling to Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) refers to one person: the current, living Imam, who bears the Nur of Hazrat Imam Ali (AS). For all intents and purposes, the current Imam is Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) to and for us. Since the Nur shared by each Imam is the same Nur, there is no need to or use in differentiating between each Imam. From a spiritual perspective, they are all the same person, although outwardly they were different people in different ages.
This is also why Ismailis (and throughout this, I am referring to Aga Khani Ismailis, as Tayyibi Ismailis are totally different in this respect) do not practice matam. Hazrat Imam Hussein (AS) is, like Hazrat Imam Ali (AS), alive and present with us through the living, current Imam. Why mourn the death of someone who still alive and present with us?
Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) is considered to be the Imam par excellence. It is his Nur that the current Imam has, his wisdom the current Imam has, his authority the current Imam has, and his masumiyat that the current Imam has. When we point to the Imam, we point to Hazrat Imam Ali (AS); when we invoke Hazrat Imam Ali (AS), we invoke the Imam (AS).
If I am wrong anywhere, please correct me.
Mowla hafiz,
ON
Meaning of Aly
Just to add...
The meaning of Aly according to Arabic/English dictionary is high, tall, elevated, lofty, august, excellent.
Aly is the generic name for the present and 10th Avataar in the Sat panth tradition, just as Krishna was a generic name/title for the 8th Avataar.
Aly symbolises and represents major esoteric interpretations within Islam i.e., Shi'sm and Sufism.
The meaning of Aly according to Arabic/English dictionary is high, tall, elevated, lofty, august, excellent.
Aly is the generic name for the present and 10th Avataar in the Sat panth tradition, just as Krishna was a generic name/title for the 8th Avataar.
Aly symbolises and represents major esoteric interpretations within Islam i.e., Shi'sm and Sufism.